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19 August 2019 16:01

Mirvac launches first accelerator program focused on environmental and social change to fast-track innovation in Australia

Mirvac Group (Mirvac) [ASX: MGR] has partnered with leading global platform for environmental and social start-ups, INCO, to launch The Impact Accelerator, Australia’s first urban life focused accelerator at the crossroads of green technology and social impact.

Applications are now open for Australian start-ups and entrepreneurs to apply to be part of The Impact Accelerator to turbocharge their business and gain access to invaluable training and mentorship. The Impact Accelerator also provides the opportunity to be part of Mirvac’s ecosystem, as well as the potential for seed stage funding at the end of the nine-month program from either Mirvac Ventures or Artesian Venture Partners.

General Manager of Workplace Experiences at Mirvac, Paul Edwards said, “With over half of the world’s population now living in cities, the design and development of our urban environments is critical to our economic success, health and wellbeing, cultural development and quality of life. We are thrilled to launch an Australian-first partnership with INCO that will support the future innovators and leaders in this space, who will create intelligent, vibrant, human-centered city ecosystems, solving tomorrow’s environmental challenges and ensuring the long-term prosperity of our communities.”

Group General Manager, Sustainability & Reputation at Mirvac, Sarah Clarke said, “As part of Mirvac’s sustainability strategy, This Changes Everything, we have set challenging goals to be net positive in carbon and water, send zero waste to landfill and invest $100m in the social sector by 2030. Through The Impact Accelerator program we aim to work with start-ups to help solve these challenges using data and technology. We also hope the program will help to grow the innovation ecosystem in Australia, supporting us to compete on a global scale.”

INCO’s incubation, acceleration and training programs are supporting more than 500 impact-focused start-ups yearly in 35 countries (including popular food waste recovery Phenix), while the company’s venture arm has mobilised over $250 million AUD to help entrepreneurs tackle the major challenges facing our society.

Founder and CEO at INCO, Nicolas Hazard, commented on the launch: “The Impact Accelerator is in a unique position to be a game changer for social and environmental start-ups dedicated to transform our cities. We are offering them the extraordinary opportunity to test or refine their product directly with one of the most sustainable real estate groups in the world, as well as to take advantage of INCO’s global presence to scale their activity and impact. We are proud to team up with Mirvac to contribute to leverage urban spaces as a powerful tool in the fight against social inequalities and climate change.”

INCO will devote their international network and wide experience in catalysing entrepreneurs’ success. Mirvac will provide the opportunity to work with experts in the real estate industry combining corporate expertise with start-up innovation.

The nine-month program includes:
• Access to Hoist, a collaborative co-working space designed and owned by Mirvac. Start-ups will have the chance to continually mingle with potential customers to help lift the innovation ecosystem in Australia and champion the growth of impact entrepreneurs.
• Monthly group workshops with successful entrepreneurs and experts from the local ecosystem and INCO global network.
• Individual sessions with a hand-picked personal Mirvac mentor; a successful entrepreneur who is committed to sharing their experience.
• A membership to INCO’s ecosystem of more than 2,000 startups in 35 countries, the chance to be part of ecosystem safaris and to secure critical contracts in new markets.
• An incredible opportunity to become part of Mirvac’s ecosystem, and gain access to the Group Business Units.
• Preferential access to up to AUD $100,000+ seed stage funding and follow on and the opportunity to work with Mirvac Ventures and Artesian, one of Australia’s most active venture capital funds.

Managing Partner at Artesian Venture Partners, Jeremy Colless stated: "The Artesian Clean Energy Seed Fund is working with INCO and Mirvac to help build the cleantech ecosystem in Australia. Artesian will support start-ups that are helping the world transition to a low carbon economy".

To be eligible to the program, startups will need to have a beta tested product or an MVP ready to be beta tested in the first three months of the program, to have a clear environmental and/or social mission and key competitive advantages. The company must also be working at transforming urban lives, through the development of a solution in one of the following categories; resource transformation, seamless transportation, energy optimisation and production, data collection and exploitation, community connection, sustainable procurement, future of work, or alternative design and conception.

Applications close 11th September and companies will be invited to a pitch night the following week to present their business ideas to a jury of experts. The top twelve businesses will then be chosen to join The Impact Accelerator program.

To apply visit the website https://theimpactaccelerator.org.au/

About Mirvac: Mirvac is a leading Australian property group, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”). Mirvac’s investment portfolio has interests in office, retail and industrial assets, while its development business has exposure to both residential and commercial projects. With over 45 years of experience, Mirvac has an unmatched reputation for delivering quality products and services across all of the sectors in which it operates.

About INCO: INCO is a leader in the support of entrepreneurs reconciling economic profit with social and environmental impact and supports a community of 2000+ start-ups worldwide. A global reference in the funding, training and support of environmental and social start-ups across the world, INCO has developed a transversal expertise towards each of the necessary steps required to found, kickstart and scale inclusive and sustainable startups.

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